Make Plans for the Penguin Paddle Feb. 23

The Penguin Paddle, the annual fundraiser for Holiday Valley’s Lounsbury Adaptive Program, is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 23. The main event is a race by age group in which kids and grown-ups alike climb inside of garbage bags and slide on their bellies “penguin style” down the lower section of the Yodeler slope to the finish line.

The Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program was founded 25 years ago to honor the memory of Bill Lounsbury, a Holiday Valley Ski Patrol member who lost a leg to cancer in the 1980s. Lounsbury, who soon taught himself to ski on one leg, died of the disease in 1988, and donations came to the Ski Patrol as memorials. These funds were used to establish this non-profit organization that teaches disabled children and adults about the joys of skiing.

Since its inception, hundreds of mentally and physically disabled individuals have taken lessons with volunteers who are specially trained in adaptive ski teaching methods. Fundraising efforts such as the Penguin Paddle support the purchase and maintenance of specialized equipment, instructor education and public awareness. For more information, visit www.holidayvalley.com, or call (716) 699-2345.

Schedule of Events:

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Registration at Creekside Lodge

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Registration at the base of Yodeler

Raffle Tickets on sale all day at Yodeler

11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Silent and Live Auction in the tent at the base of Yodeler